[wisb] Hawk Ridge

  • From: Hilary Ford <khilaryf@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: wisbirdn <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:35:58 -0700 (PDT)

Hi Fellow Birders,
After Labor Day we took our motorhome for a two-week treck through 
mid-Wisconsin, Superior and north-east through Duluth around the beautiful big 
Lake as far as Schroeder and back through Northern Wis.  I found birding a bit 
problematical with the thick leaves on the trees and not much bird song, but 
the scenery was spectacular and the campgrounds (mostly State Parks or County 
Parks) not too full and very scenic. (Reference Wayne R's description of 
Pattison Falls and Copper Falls.)

I intended to get to Hawk Ridge for the very first time, which we managed when 
in the Superior area, and it was so well worth it.  A Hot day Monday after they 
had their bird-festival, but there were scads of people there with chairs and 
scopes about mid-day.  Met Kevin helping out with descriptions of the raptors 
and of Hawk Ridge - the big count was Sharp Shinned Hawks and while we were 
there they reached two-thousand for the day's count.  Kettles of Broad-wings, 
the odd Peregrine, Red Tails and T. Vultures all came over. 

Then they brought out three Sharpies that had been mist-netted, explained in 
detail how to identify them by eye color,etc. giving us good demos of shape, 
size (not easy to tell sex by size too much apparently from Cooper's) and then 
they stated that with a donation we could release them - so I offered.  What a 
thrill to hold the small bird about the size of a M. Dove, and after photos 
release it.

The next to be released was a Red-Tail which again was demonstrated for all ID 
markings and then released over the bluff.  Though it was a bit hot to stay too 
long we certainly learned a lot and the staff/volunteers did a great job.  
Their displays set up with pictures and outlines of what to look for, and the 
seasons that were good for different species (Oct-Nov  for Bald and occasional 
Golden Eagles etc.) made for a great learning experience.

I was not aware that Jaegerfest was on that next weekend - We went to Wis. 
Point Thursday while our Motor-Home was at the fixers for a problem that meant 
an overnight stay in a motel!  There were a few cars gathered at the first 
stop, but we ignored that stop and went to look for any type of bird both in 
the Bay and on the Lake where the waves were pretty strong, but other than a 
couple of B. Eagles and lots of gulls there were no shorebirds and only 
DCCormorants, though we went all the way and walked the dock.  I guess I did 
not know what to look for having never seen a Jaeger and Gulls are still a 
problem with me.  There were a few warblers among the usual suspects in the 
wooded areas on the bay side.  Next day walking along the BayWalk a cyclist 
stopped seeing our Binos around our necks and asked if we were there for the 
Jaegerfest stating a few birders were already investigating the Point.  We had 
to pick up the Bus and head out as we had no
 other reservation for our next stops in MN.

Highlights were a family of C.Loons on Solberg Lake near Phillips calling to 
each other and preening and teaching the youngster how to fish - we could set 
up our deck chairs right on the edge of the water.  A young Eagle was learning 
how to fish also, and the Loons would call to each other when it came nearby - 
also when boaters came by.  Such a wonderful sound.

Since coming back I have not birded except from the car - and the last two days 
have seen winds of over 58 miles an hour with spectacular waves over the docks 
nearby photo'ed by friends!  Winter is not far I guess, but September was 
awesome and the trees are getting spectacular.

Now to coax a Pileated onto the suet - that will be a treat!

Hilary Ford, Ellison Bay, Door County


      
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